Louis XIV
Louis XIV by A. H. T. Levi, published by Constable in 2004, is a first edition that spans 320 pages in English. This illustrated biography explores the life and reign of Louis XIV, the King of France from 1643 to 1715, who was known as le roi soleil, or the sun king. The book delves into the duality of his rule, highlighting both the opulence and power of France during the seventeenth century, as well as the underlying issues of peasant starvation, financial struggles, and military defeats that marked his reign.
Readers will find a detailed examination of Louis XIV’s complex persona, juxtaposing his grand image with the realities of his governance. The narrative addresses the conflict between his perceived divine authority and the human errors that plagued his rule, offering insights into the challenges he faced as a monarch. This biography not only presents a historical account but also provides a nuanced perspective on the impact of Louis XIV’s decisions on France’s history and its people.
Official synopsis Publisher
A nation exceedingly rich and extraordinarily powerful, its arts unparalleled in elegance and excellence, France in the seventeenth century mirrored the monarch who ruled it: Louis XIV, heritor not only to the throne of his country but also, supposedly, to the powers of the mythological sun god Apollo. Known as le roi soleil-the sun king-and vested with unprecedented power and privilege, for fifty years Louis epitomized the glory that was France. On the dark underside of the monarchy’s grand, gilded looking glass, however, lurked peasant starvation, financial bankruptcy, military defeat, and the deaths of thousands-all of which would plague the conscience of the king. It is in the struggle of the lofty sun king, who at least half-believed in his quasi divinity, to reconcile his extravagant persona with the shortcomings, flaws, miscalculations, and failures of an ordinary mortal that the fascination of this new, intricate, and controversial illustrated biography lies. Indeed, at the heart of Anthony Levi’s probing study brews the conflict between Louis XIV’s regal infallibility and his human, often tragic and far-reaching errors. Out of it emerges a complex personal portrait of one of the most politically effective monarchs ever to reign in Europe.
FAQ
What is “Louis XIV” about?
Who is the author of “Louis XIV”?
When was “Louis XIV” published?
What is the ISBN for “Louis XIV”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
